Child&#39;s vehicle



Dec. 8, 1925' E. M. MAY ER CHILD-S VEHICLE Origihal Filed Sept. 12, 1924 2 SheeqS-Sheet 1 Dec. 8, 1925- 1565-023 I E. M. MAYER CHILD "s VEHICLE Original Filed Sep.1:.-12,. 1924 2 She'et-Sheet 2 I Patented D... a, 1925.:

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Original application filed September 12, 1924, Serial No. 737,307. Divided and this application fled July Stateof Ohio, havetinvented certain newv and useful Improvements in and Relating to (Dhildrens Vehicles, set forth in the 'annexed specification, being a division of my pending '11. S. Patent application filed September 12, 1924, Serial No. 737,397.

. This invention relates to certain improvements in childrens vehicles; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understoodby those skilled in the arts involved in the light of the fol lowing explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiments orniechanical expressions of the invention from among various other forms,

arrangements, combinations and constructions of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

The invention is primarily directed to a childs vehicle of the type adapted to carry and be propelled by a child seated thereon,

although the invention and'the several features thereof are applicable to other types of chiltlrens' or other vehicles. Childrens vehicles, and particularly those of the above mentioned types, are used indoors a consid-' erable part -0 the time, as well as being usually stored indoors when notin use, and it isfound that considerable damage to furniture, woodwork, and the like, frequently results from being struck or engagedby projecting portions of the vehicle, which scratch, gouge, or otherwise mar the objects so struck. This is mainly occasioned by the front and rear portions of the vehicle and by the projecting axle ends, as will be readily apparent to those familiar with these ve-' hicles. i v I,

Therefore,'one of the main objects of the invention is to eliminate the possibility of such vehicles injuring adjacent objects, through striking or engaging the same, by

v providing the'vehicles with protecting elev 27, 1925. Serial No. {8,809. 1

.minimum 0 A further oh'ect of the invention .is to provide a chil s vehicle with front and rear bumpers detachably mounted on and supported from the vehicle frame an'd projecting outwardly beyond the vehicle structure to prevent the same from striking ad jacent ob'ects, and which bum rs' are formed with a contact surface w ich' will not scratch or otherwise mar an object struck or engaged thereby.

A further, ob'ect of the invention is to provide a childs vehicle with rubber or otherso'ft material protecting elements at points on the vehicle, liable to engage or strike ad'acent objects by a vehicle'in use,

and whic elements are so constructed as to be mounted on and supported from the vehicle structure without major structural change in the vehicle. 7

Another object of the inventionjs .to provide a vehicle of the foregoing general types, which is of simple but strong construction affording the maximum of attractivene ss and of comfort toa child therein, and easily Propelled by the child witha I effort. I \Vith the foregoing general objects, and

certain other ob ects and results in view,--.

which other objects and results will be readily apparent to those familiar with this. art

from the following description, the invention .consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements of elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter. v. j

Referring. to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout; Fig. 1 is view in side elevation of a childs vehice embodying the several features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in rear vehicle-of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 'is a view in top plan ofthe vehicle of Fig. 1. t a

Fig. 4 is a view in front'elevation of the forward frame and wheels with'the bumper elevation of the I thereon, and-showing .the steering or hand post ofthe vehicle. Fig. 5 is a detail .ly in. sect1on, of the construction o the front bumper. and forwardwheel frame,

fragmentary view, arting the bumper on the frame showing the manner of mounting and lockap lied position.

ne possible form and embodiment of a vehicle presenting the principles and va-- rious featureseof the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described herewith purely by way of example and not of limitation, for the purpose of e "laining the invention so that the same wfi be readily understood by those skilled in this art. f Certain features of the. inventionv are not confined or limited to the specific type or form of vehicle disclosed, but are aplicable to use with and embodiment in ve icles generally, as will appear from the following explanation of the various features of-the invention in the form and application thereof, of the present example.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the childs vehicle of the type hereinbefore referred to, embodies the substantially flat body or'bed 10 having the relatively wide to form the frame side members 17 secured form a support therefor, asw'ill be clear by at their upper ends to the body 10 adjacent the rear end of seat 11. Thus, the rear frame is disposed transversely across and depends from the .under side of seat 11 to reference to Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings in particular. A rear axle 18 is mounted in the opposite members 16 of the rear frame and extends across and above the lower bar 15 of the frame, and outwardly a distance beyond the members 16, respectively. Rear wheels 19 are mounted on the opposite extended ends of the axle 18, and are confined and maintained thereon in the usual or any other desired manner. It will here be noted that the lower end of the rear frame, including'the lower frame bar 15, is of greater widththan the width of the seat portion 11- df the vehicle body 10, andextends outwardlybeyond the seat, so that the rear wheels 19 are disposed below the seat 11 and spaced outwardly from, opposite'sides thereof. ,(See Figs. 2 and 3.)

The front frame of the vehicle for supporting the forward reduced or narrow por tion 12 of the body or bed 10, is of a ,type

similar to the rear frame above described in mounted and embodies the lower "transversely disposed cross bar or 'rod 20 turned upwardly and then inwardly 'a distance at'the opposite ends thereof to provide members 21 for receiving and mountin the front wheel assemblies. The inwar ly turned portions of the frame members 21 are extended inwardly and upwardly to'and secured at their;

frame is of less height or depth than the rear frame, due to the type of front wheel and the mounting thereof employed, which necessitates such formation of the front frame inorder to maintain the body 10 in the desired substantially horizontally disposed position. Front wheel'assemblies of the swivel or castor t pe are mounted at opposite ends of the front frame in position dependin' therefrom, and embody the wheels '23 0 or rotatably mounted on the lower ends of the pins or stub shafts 25 which are secured and mounted in vertically disposed position extending upwardly through the opposite end frame members 21, respectively. In mounted position the front wheels 23 are disposed beneathwpposite ends of the ront the frame side members 22. The front.

relatively large diameter mounted in the forks24 which are swivelled.

frame and are freely rotatable 'or s'wingable around and on vertical axes formed by the pins or stub shafts 25 mounted in the frame. The vehicle so formed with .the body or bed 10* mounted on and supported by the front and rear wheeled frames is readily propelled and easily steered or guided in any desired direction through the swivelled or laterally swingable front wheels 23, by pushing or turning the front or forward end of the body 10 in the proper direc- 1 tion which will cause the front frame which is fixed to the body 10, to pivot or swing on the wheel forks 24 and permit the wheels to properly follow the direction of movement of the forward end of the vehicle, as will be readily understood.

The front wheel frame strengthened by-a brace rod 26 extending centrally from the lower frame bar 20, and upwardly and rearwardly to the body or bed 10, and therear wheel frame is strengthened by a similar brace rod 27 extending centrally from the lower frame bar 15, and forwardly and upwardly to the bed 10. The brace rods or bars 26 and 27 are securedto the under side of the bed 10 at the central portion thereof, and serve to prevent disis braced and lacement or bending of the wheel frames 7 The rear or seat bottom forming portion 11 of the vehic e bo y or bed." 10 is provided familiar. in this art.

- rceaoaa with-a seat backandiside-forming' member 28. A confining and supporting member 32; of semi-circular form and preferably,

constructed from relatively stiff wire is-detachabl mounted on the upper forward ends o the seat member 28 and extends ing through the reduced portion 12'of the? 15 bed to the rear of the front wheel frame,

and depends downwardly a distance below the bed 10. The post 34 extends upwardly a distance above bed 10- and is provided at the ailpper end thereof with a cross bar or han e bar 40, in the usual manner The type of childs vehicle above described and illustrated in the accompan ing drawings is generally used, as wel as 2 stored, indoors and to prevent damage to furniture, woodwork and the like, the inven-- tion provides an arrangement of protective elements atpoints on the vehicle liable to strike against adjacent objects. In order to prevent the forward end of the body 10 of,.the vehicle, andthe front wheel frame thereof, from striking, a protective bumper F is mounted on the front wheel frame extending thereacross and rojecting forwardlfy a distance beyond tie frame and the orward end of the body or bed 10, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The front bumper F embodies a length of spring or. resilient material such as spring wireor the like 4 41 slightly bowed and bent. at the opposite ends intothe hooks 42. A protective covering 'such as the relatively soft rubber tube 4.3 (see Fig. 5) is applie over and encloses the spring wire 41 to provide a non-damag- 45 ing contact surface. The opposite sides of i the"members 21 of the front wheelframe are notchedor cut out'at. 44 on their front and rear edges, as clearly shown in Fig; 5-

0f the accompanying drawings, and the .bumper F is mounted on the front wheel frame ,by springing the opposite end hooks 42 over the sides of the frame members 21,

respectively, and into the notches 44. The

bumper F is held in mounted position extending across the front of the vehicle by the hooks 42 and the inherent resiliency or spring of the wire 41 from which it is formed.

A rear bumper Bis detachablymounted and supported on the rear wheel frame and extends rearwardly between the rear wheels 19. The bumper R comprises a len h of resilient or spring wire, or the li e, 45

slightly'bowed, and bent at the opposite retained in mounted position byjthe 'confrontanderear.Jvheels, the vehicle in effect ends to form the attaching arms 46. These arms 46 are offset or otherwise suitably formed on their inner sides toprovide the seats or depressions 47, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The bumper R is provided with a .suitable protective covering, such as the-soft rubber tubing on bumper F, and is mounted on the rear wheel frame by springing thearms 46 toward each ame with the members 16 received in ,the seats 7 47 on the arms 46 and-locking-thebumper in mounted position. The bumper 'R is struction as described, due to the spri 9' or resiliency "of the material from w ich formedand extends between the rear wheels 19 and projects a distance rearw'ardl be: yond the rear end'of the seat 11 of" y 10. The rear wheels 19 are provided with rubber tires T, and as the wheels 19 project rearwardly beyond the end of body 10, the rear end of the vehicle is therefore ro- .vided with rotective elements formed by. the bumper it and tires T, which will engage ad acent objects without injury and prevent either the rear wheel 'frame or the rear end of the body from striking and.

injuring any object. Similarly, the swivelled front wheels 23 are provided with tires T, which in cooperation with the front rubber covered bumper F prevent any injury from engagement by the front end'of the vehicle. The invention further eliminates damage by contact with the outwardly projecting ends of the rear axle 18, through the provision of relatively soft rubber caps S which are mounted over and cover the outer ends of. the axles, as well as extending across the hubs ofwheels 19. Thus, by the foregoing arrangement of front and rearbumpers F and R. and rubber caps S, i2

cooperation with the rubber tires T of the is protected by non-mar'ring surfaces at all points thereon which will strike or engage adjacent objects, so that with a vehicle of this type used by a child indoors, all damage to furniture, woodwork and the like" is practically eliminated. The construction and arrangement of the various elements provide a vehicle of the requisite strength to meet the severe requirements in use, while the elimination of damage to adjacent objects renders the vehicle of great utility for indoor use and storage. I

It is evident that various changes, modifications, variations and Substitutio s might be resorted to .without departing from-the spirit and scope of the invention, and hence I do not desire to limit'myself to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

other and slipping the same bet een the op osite axle mounting members 16 df the rear a ioo Desiring to protect my invention in the broadest. manner legally possible, what I claim is: x

' 1. In a childs vehicle, a Wheeled frame, a protecting bum er embodying a length of spring material ormed with opposite end -frame engaging members, said 7 bumper mounted and retained in position extending said end members thereof engaged over the opposite'side's of the frame.

3. Ina childs vehicle, a body, a wheeled supporting. frame for the body adjacent a one end thereof, and a protecting bumper embodying a length of spring material bent at the opposite ends to form frame engaging hooks, the said bumper mounted and secured in position extending across the frame outwardly beyond the adjacent body end by the hooks engaged over opposite sides of the frame, respectively, said hooks extending over and around the frame sides to protect the same.

4. In a'childs vehicle, a body, a wheeled frame adjacent one end of the body and including opposite side frame members, wheels mounted onopposite outer sides of said frame and extending beyond the adjacent body end, rubber tires on said wheels, and a rubber covered spring material bumper having the opposite ends thereof bent to form frame engaging members,

said bumper being mounted on the frame and extending thereacross and outwardly ,beyond the adjacent body end between said wheels with the end members-engaging the inner sides of the frame side members and v the bumper bemg under'tension to mamtam the same in mountedposition on the frame.

5. In combination, in a childs vehicle includinga body and a rear wheel frame, an

axle on said frame, wheels mounted on the opposite outer ends of said axle and extending rearwardly beyond the end of said body, rubber tires on said wheels, a rubber coi ered spring material bumper mounted uponand extending across the'rearof said frame outwardlya distance beyond the adjacent body end between said wheels, and rubber; material protective caps mounted over the outer ends of said axle, respec tively, the said capswith the rear 'axle and.

rubber tired wheels formingan assembly of protective members across'the' rear and at the sides of the vehicle preventing the same from damaging objects engaged thereby.

6. In combination, in a childs vehicle, a

body, a front wheel frame at the forward end of the body and a rear wheel frame at 1 the rear end of the body, an axle extending across said rear wheel frame, rear Wheels mounted on the outer ends of said axle and extending rearwardly beyond the adjacent frame end, rubber tires on said rear wheels, front wheels mounted on said front frame and disposed therebelow, rubber tires I on said front wheels, a rubber covered bumper mounted upon and extending across and rearwardly from said rear frame, outwardly beyond the adjacent body 'end and between said rear wheels, a rubber covered bumper mounted upon and extending across said front frame forwardly of the adjacent body endand around and over the opposite sides of the frame, and rubber caps mounted over and covering theouter projecting ends of "said rear axle, respectively.

1 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Cincinnati, Ohio, this 22nd day of July, 1925.

M. MAYER. 

